Our friend Jasper King, who has died aged 44 of cancer, was a juggler, clown, balancer, dancer, musician and entertainer who largely plied his trade on the streets and at festivals.
Jasper made many appearances as Dr Juggle in the late 1980s with his “useless” assistant, who was actually his stepmother Kate (nee McNeill). He also worked with Jem Hulbert of the Fairly Famous Family, an international street performance agency, and, in 1990, with Sam Thomas. He and Sam then went on to form the Chipolatas trio with Tristan Glover in 1992, and from then on they quickly became trusted mainstays on the festival and street entertainment scene.
Travelling the world extensively, their circus-cum-theatre show, which continues with Sam and Tristan, had its roots in British folk traditions – from step-dance to storytelling to music – as well as circus arts and physical theatre. Jasper’s big heart and endless energy particularly caught people’s attention, and he spread laughter wherever he went.
He was born in Preston, Lancashire, to Geoff, a Baptist minister, and Morfydd (nee Hughes), a school secretary, and his family relocated to Hawkshead in the Lake District when he was six. After attending John Ruskin school in Coniston he went straight into entertainment, his interest in clowning having come about from a chance meeting with Brother Ronald, a monk and industrial chaplain from the KP Nuts factory in Liverpool. He learned to juggle when Brother Ronald invited him to a “holy foolery” event.
A natural sportsman who excelled at anything involving hand-to-eye co-ordination, Jasper was a lifelong fan of Liverpool football club and was also an excellent gardener.
He is survived by his partner Sharon, Geoff and Kate. Morfydd died in 1981.
